Malaysia has voiced strong opposition to the United States’ reported detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warning that the action threatens the foundations of international law and state sovereignty.
In a public statement on Sunday, Anwar said the US military operation in Caracas — which allegedly resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores — was without precedent in modern international relations.
He described the incident as a clear violation of the principle of non-intervention and an unlawful use of force against a sovereign nation.
“The forcible seizure of a sitting head of government by an external power sets an extremely dangerous precedent,” Anwar said, adding that it weakens the legal safeguards designed to prevent conflict between states.
According to Anwar, such actions undermine trust in international institutions and risk accelerating a global environment where power replaces law as the primary determinant of political outcomes.
He stressed that political legitimacy cannot be imposed from outside a country’s borders and must instead emerge from the will of the people.
“Venezuelans must be allowed to decide their own future, free from coercion or external pressure,” he said.
Anwar further warned that history has repeatedly shown that leadership changes imposed through force often result in prolonged instability, humanitarian emergencies and civilian casualties.
In the case of Venezuela, which has already faced years of economic decline, social unrest and mass emigration, Anwar said further disruption could worsen the suffering of ordinary citizens.
Malaysia, he said, continues to uphold international law as the bedrock of peaceful coexistence and diplomatic engagement.
He called on all parties involved to prioritise dialogue, de-escalation and multilateral solutions, rather than unilateral actions that risk escalating tensions.
The comments followed an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who said American forces had detained Maduro and Flores before transferring them to New York, where they are expected to face federal charges.
Trump also stated that the United States would assume administrative control over Venezuela until a political transition deemed acceptable by Washington could be achieved.
The move has prompted intense international scrutiny, with critics arguing that it could undermine the global legal order and embolden future interventions elsewhere.
Anwar’s response reflects Malaysia’s longstanding foreign policy position favouring neutrality, respect for sovereignty and peaceful dispute resolution.